SIT probe an eyewash to save sand mafia in MP, says Congress

The Congress said on Monday the state government's decision to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing of constable Dharmendra Chauhan in Morena was just an eyewash to save sand mafia.

The Congress said on Monday the state government's decision to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killing of constable Dharmendra Chauhan in Morena was just an eyewash to save sand mafia.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a SIT probe into the incident on Monday. The constable was killed on Sunday in an attempt to stop a truck suspected to be operated by sand mafia.

The incident rekindled the memory of the 2012 killing of IPS officer Narendra Kumar, who was mowed down in Morena when he tried to stop a tractor carrying illegally mined stone.

The opposition Congress alleged that sand mafia was involved in illegal mining of sand in the entire Chambal region and even in the prohibited areas.

State Congress vice-president Dr Govind Singh said sand mafia had killed many people and there was no action.

Singh said there was a large-scale sand mining in riverbeds of Sindh and Chambal rivers with the complicity of officials.

Applying section 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), instead of 302 (punishment for murder), shows the intention of the state government, the Congress said.

Party's chief spokesperson KK Mishra said it was a matter of shame that police didn't register a case of murder even when a person of their own fraternity was killed.

"A nexus of officials, politicians and mafia is functioning in Madhya Pradesh. It is a known fact that illegal excavation of sand is being performed not just in Chambal region but even in Hoshangabad (on Narmada riverbed) at the behest of those at the top in the state government," said Mishra.

"Law-and-order situation has totally collapsed. Now, there is mafia of in all fields -- liquor, mining, stone and land who rule the roost in the state," he said.